Lighting system

ABSTRACT

A lighting device is disclosed with control logic to provide a user with the option of powering on in a high power mode and cycling through to a low power mode or starting first in a lower power mode and cycling up to a higher power mode. In another aspect, the lighting device has a secondary light source that functions as a status indicator in a first mode and as a source of illumination in a second mode, wherein the power output of the first mode is less than the second mode.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/794,047 filed on Jan. 18, 2019 and U.S.Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 16/747,363 filed on Jan. 20,2020, both entitled “Lighting System”, which are both incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to lighting devices, systems,and associated methods and more particularly to an improved apparatusand system for providing utilitarian light in low light environments.

BACKGROUND

A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths of light from about 390to 700 nanometers (i.e., white light). Certain handheld lights or otherlights used for a variety of different purposes can emit very highlevels of bright white light. However, in dark environments the humaneye expands the pupils to absorb as much light as possible since theambient light level is very low. When the user turns on theseflashlights with the HIGH output as the default starting mode—the user'spupils will contract quickly to protect the eye's imaging receptors.This is an automatic biological reaction to the change in lightinglevels. This will lower the user's visual sensitivity to the existingdark ambient environment. Aspects of the current technology permit auser a low-level light option to see equipment such as maps withoutgiving away their position while also having the option of a high-levellight for other uses. These aspects also result in less consumption ofbattery resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other aspects of the presenttechnology, a more particular description of the invention will berendered by reference to specific aspects thereof which are illustratedin the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depictonly typical aspects of the technology and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not drawn to scale.The technology will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting device in accordance with oneaspect of the technology;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lighting device in accordance with oneaspect of the technology;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lighting device in accordance with oneaspect of the technology;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lighting device in accordance with oneaspect of the technology;

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a portion of a lighting device inaccordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a functional sequence of lighting ofa lighting device in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a functional sequence of lighting ofa lighting device in accordance with one aspect of the technology; and

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the load control of a lighting device inaccordance with one aspect of the technology.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics forthe purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that many variations and alterations to the following detailscan be made and are considered to be included herein. Accordingly, thefollowing embodiments are set forth without any loss of generality to,and without imposing limitations upon, any claims set forth. It is alsoto be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific termsused herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a layer”includes a plurality of such layers.

In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having”and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent lawand can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like, and are generallyinterpreted to be open ended terms. The terms “consisting of” or“consists of” are closed terms, and include only the components,structures, steps, or the like specifically listed in conjunction withsuch terms, as well as that which is in accordance with U.S. Patent law.“Consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” have themeaning generally ascribed to them by U.S. Patent law. In particular,such terms are generally closed terms, with the exception of allowinginclusion of additional items, materials, components, steps, orelements, that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics or function of the item(s) used in connection therewith.For example, trace elements present in a composition, but not affectingthe compositions nature or characteristics would be permissible ifpresent under the “consisting essentially of” language, even though notexpressly recited in a list of items following such terminology. Whenusing an open ended term, like “comprising” or “including,” it isunderstood that direct support should be afforded also to “consistingessentially of” language as well as “consisting of” language as ifstated explicitly and vice versa.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that any termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series ofsteps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarilythe only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of thestated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps notdescribed herein may possibly be added to the method.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation inother orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectlyconnected in an electrical or nonelectrical manner. Objects describedherein as being “adjacent to” each other may be in physical contact witheach other, in close proximity to each other, or in the same generalregion or area as each other, as appropriate for the context in whichthe phrase is used. Occurrences of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or“in one aspect,” herein do not necessarily all refer to the sameembodiment or aspect.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete ornearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property,state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is“substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completelyenclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree ofdeviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on thespecific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completionwill be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and totalcompletion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equallyapplicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the completeor near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state,structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is“substantially free of” particles would either completely lackparticles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect wouldbe the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, acomposition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element maystill actually contain such item as long as there is no measurableeffect thereof.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “alittle above” or “a little below” the endpoint. Unless otherwise stated,use of the term “about” in accordance with a specific number ornumerical range should also be understood to provide support for suchnumerical terms or range without the term “about”. For example, for thesake of convenience and brevity, a numerical range of “about 50angstroms to about 80 angstroms” should also be understood to providesupport for the range of “50 angstroms to 80 angstroms.”

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary.

Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed orpresented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such arange format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus shouldbe interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical valuesexplicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include allthe individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within thatrange as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. Asan illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should beinterpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within theindicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individualvalues such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4,and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.

This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical valueas a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation shouldapply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristicsbeing described.

Reference throughout this specification to “an example” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in an example” in various places throughoutthis specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment.

Reference in this specification may be made to devices, structures,systems, or methods that provide “improved” performance. It is to beunderstood that unless otherwise stated, such “improvement” is a measureof a benefit obtained based on a comparison to devices, structures,systems or methods in the prior art. Furthermore, it is to be understoodthat the degree of improved performance may vary between disclosedembodiments and that no equality or consistency in the amount, degree,or realization of improved performance is to be assumed as universallyapplicable.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below andspecific technology embodiments are then described in further detail.This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding thetechnology more quickly, but is not intended to identify key oressential features of the technology, nor is it intended to limit thescope of the claimed subject matter.

Broadly speaking, aspects of the disclosed technology create a uniqueand improved utilitarian light configured and equipped with a switch forcontrol of light mode operations to optimize battery usage in low-lightor dark environments. In certain aspects of lighting technology, when alight is in an OFF position, the light can be turned to an ON positionto the highest lighting level upon the initial “press” of the modeswitch or power switch. Additional presses of the switch (or otherwisesequencing through the logic controls of the lighting device) stepthrough available lower lighting modes until all the modes have beenexhausted or, in other words, when the next press or sequence will turnthe lighting device into an OFF mode. In one example of a handheldlight, the sequence of mode settings is configured to be high, medium,low, and OFF. Other non-limiting examples include high, high strobe,medium, medium strobe, low, low strobe, OFF. In one aspect, this initialsequencing occurs when, beginning in the OFF mode, the user presses thepower switch for less than ½ second.

In aspects of the current technology, when the light is in the OFFposition, the user can hold the mode switch for more than ½ second (orsome other predetermined period of time programmed into the logiccontroller) before releasing the switch to initiate the operations modeto start an alternative sequence. In one aspect, this sequence beginsfrom the lowest level of lighting so that the output of the lightingdevice will not significantly interfere with the response of the humaneye to a bright light in a dark or low light environment. That is, inone aspect of the technology, the light is configured such that thefirst light mode in the sequence is the lowest amount of light availablefrom a particular light source (e.g., an LED). In another aspect, thelight is configured such that the first light mode propagates a specificwavelength of light (e.g., a wavelength corresponding to the color red),again, intended to minimize the impact on the eyes of the user.

A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths of light from about 390to 700 nanometers (i.e., white light). Certain handheld lights or otherlights used for a variety of different purposes can emit very highlevels of bright white light. However, in dark environments the humaneye expands the pupils to absorb as much light as possible since theambient light level is very low. When the user turns on theseflashlights with the HIGH output as the default starting mode—the user'spupils will contract quickly to protect the eye's imaging receptors.This is an automatic biological reaction to the change in lightinglevels. This will lower the user's visual sensitivity to the existingdark ambient environment even if the flashlight's output levels are setto a lower level after the initial turn ON. By starting the light outputin the lower output level, the user's eyes will perceive the low-levellight as a much brighter light source than it would have been otherwiseperceived since the user's pupils are still expanded. This conservesbattery resources as the user will be able to read and/or operate withminimal light having already acclimated to the low-light environment.This is also beneficial for tactical purposes, such as a stealth mode.Many police, military personnel, sportsmen, or other outdoor enthusiastsdo not want to give up their position in a dark environment. Aspects ofthe current technology permit a user a low-level light option to seeequipment such as maps without giving away their position while alsohaving the option of a high-level light for other uses.

In an additional aspect of the technology, the hand held flashlight isequipped with multi-use LEDs (MLEDs). In one aspect of the technology,the MLEDs comprise LEDs configured to propagate light in a plurality ofdifferent wavelengths of light corresponding to specific colors. On manydevices, these colors are used to help the user understand an operationcondition of the lighting device (or other product), including, butwithout limitation, charge status, or other operational status (e.g.,ON/OFF, WIFI enabled, etc.). These indicator lights are low power,diffuse LEDs to limit the amount of light propagated from the device.This limits the amount of battery power used by the LED to perform itsfunction of a status or operational indicator. In one aspect of thetechnology, MLEDs are used not only as a status or operationalindicator, but as a useable source of light. In one aspect, the MLEDsare configured to communicate with a logic controller that modifies thepulse-width-modulation (PWM) of the MLED to increase the perceived lumenoutput and hence the functionality of the light to the user. Forexample, in “indication mode” the MLED has a first PWM cycle but in a“bright mode,” the MLED has a second and/or third PWM cycle. In darkenvironments where a conventional LED “status indicator” might normallyprovide some, but not enough, light to read a map or otherwise help auser, the MLED satisfies that need. In addition to a different PWMcycle, in one aspect of the technology, the lens used in connection withthe MLED is optimized for focus light, rather than diffused light.

With reference now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate oneexample of a hand-held lighting device 10. The lighting device 10generally comprises an outside housing 11 configured with a cavity for arechargeable power source (e.g., a battery), a primary light source 21,one or more secondary light sources 40, a control switch 45, and a logiccontroller such as a programmable logic controller or PLC. A PLC is adigital computer used for automation of certain electromechanicalprocesses, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines,amusement rides, or light fixtures. PLCs are designed for multiplearrangements of digital and analog inputs and outputs, extendedtemperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance tovibration and impact. In one aspect of the technology, the instructionsto control operation of the lighting device operation are stored inbattery-backed-up or non-volatile memory. Memory refers to electroniccircuitry that allows information, typically computer data, to be storedand retrieved.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presenttechnology may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct used in connection with a lighting device. Accordingly, aspectsof the present technology may take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware,resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining softwareand hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a“circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the presentinvention may take the form of a computer program product embodied inone or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable programcode embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a random access memory (RAM), a read-onlymemory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that cancontain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations foraspects of the present technology may be written in any combination ofone or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java, Visual Basic, SQL, C++ or the likeand conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages.

With reference generally to FIGS. 1 through 5, one aspect of thetechnology, the primary light source comprises an LED 21 disposed at thetip of an inverted truncated cone. In one aspect of the technology, aninside surface of the inverted truncated cone is covered with areflective coating to enhance and focus propagation of light emanatingfrom LED 21. A charging port 12 that can be connected to an externalpower source to recharge the battery is disposed on a front 14 of thelighting device 10 near a lens 22 covering LED 21. However, the chargingport 12 can be disposed in a convenient location on the device. Lens 22is framed within the internal circumference of the base 23 of theinverted truncated cone associated with LED 21. In aspect of thetechnology, a one or more multi-use LEDs (“MLED”) comprise the secondarylight source 40. The secondary light source 40 is disposed on a frontside 14 of the lighting device 10 opposite the charge port 12 and nearthe lens 22. In this manner, the direction of light propagated from thesecondary light source 40 is in a direction that is parallel with adirection of light propagated or emitted from the primary light source21. However, the secondary light source 40 can be oriented so that thelight emitted from said light source is in a different direction thanthe primary light source 21. For example, the secondary light source 40can be disposed on a bottom 16 of the lighting device 10 or a side 15 ofthe lighting device 10 as suits a particular purpose.

In one aspect of the technology, the secondary light source is housedwithin a lens 41 having a substantially cylindrical body 42. A base 43of the lens 41 is sized to encapsulate one or more MLEDs and concentratelight from the LEDs through the body 42 of the lens 41 and out thedistal end 44 of the lens 41. In one aspect of the technology, the base43 approximates the shape of a truncated cone that is larger in diameterthan the diameter of the body 42. However, in other aspects, the base 43may have the same diameter as the body 42 depending on the number ofMLEDs and or the desired size of the distal end 44 of lens 41. In oneaspect of the technology, the PLC is configured to regulate thepulse-width-modulation (or PWM) of the LED 21 at a plurality ofdifferent duty cycles in a plurality of different sequences. PWM is oneway of regulating the brightness of a light. In one aspect, lightemission from the LED is controlled by pulses wherein the width of thesepulses is modulated to control the amount of light perceived by the userof the lighting device. When the full direct current voltage runsthrough an LED, the maximum of light is emitted 100% of the time. Thatis, the LED 21 emits light 100% of the time when in an “ON” mode. WithPWM, the voltage supplied to the LED 21 can be “ON” 50% of the time and“OFF” 50% of the time so that the LED 21 gives off its maximum amount oflight only 50% of the time. This is referred to as a 50% duty cycle. Inthis scenario, if the ON-OFF cycle is modulated fast enough, human eyeswill perceive only half the amount of light coming from the LED 21. Thatis, with such an input on the LED 21, the amount of light given offappears diminished by 50%. While specific reference is made to a 50%duty cycle, the LED 21 duty cycle of the light sources described hereinmay be greater or lesser than 50% as suits a particular purpose. In oneaspect, the PLC, power source, control switch 45, and different lightsources are all operably coupled together.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is shown that illustratesthe different light sequencing modes of a lighting device programmedinto the PLC in accordance with one aspect of the technology. Beginningin the OFF mode 100, if a user depresses the activation or on switch forless than a predetermined period of time (e.g., 0.25 seconds, 0.5seconds, 0.75 seconds, or any range there between, etc.), the “brightfirst mode” 105 is activated. In the bright first mode, the LED 21 isactivated in a HIGH mode, or a mode with the highest PWM setting.Subsequent activation of the power switch cycles the light throughdifferent modes, such as a MEDIUM 106 and LOW 107 modes. In one aspectof the technology, the PWM for the HIGH, MEDIUM, and LOW modes (orfirst, second, and third power modes) is set at a duty cycle of about75%, 50%, and 25%, respectively, though other duty cycles may be used.In one aspect, the duty cycle for the first power mode ranges from about70% to 80%, the second power mode ranges from about 45% to 55%, and thethird power mode ranges from about 20% to 30%.

If, beginning from the OFF mode 100, the user depresses the activationswitch for greater than the predetermined period of time, a “bright lastmode” 110 is activated. In this aspect, the LED 21 is activated in LOWmode first 110 and then cycles to higher duty cycles with eachsuccessive activation of the switch. While specific examples of PWM dutycycles are provided, it is understood that any number of different dutycycles may be programmed into the PLC and used in connection with theprimary LED 21 such that the terms LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH, as they areused herein are not limited to the specific PWMs listed. The duty cycleneed not be limited to a single LED 21. For example, one or more LEDscan be located adjacent LED 21 configured to operate at different dutycycles, or different wavelengths of light. In this manner, the “brightlast mode” can include activation of a red or green LED, for example,that is activated first in the event the user wishes to start a lightingsequence with a light that is not only dim, but not colored white in aneffort to minimize detection. The light sequence would then cyclethrough the other operational modes ending with a HIGH mode.

With reference generally to FIG. 7, a lighting device is equipped with asecondary light source 40 comprising multi-use LEDs (MLEDs). In oneaspect of the technology, the MLEDs comprise LEDs configured topropagate light in a red (about 620 nm to about 750 nm), green (about495 nm to about 570 nm), blue (about 450 m to about 495 nm), or othercolored band. The colors are used to help the user understand anoperation condition of the lighting device (or other product),including, but without limitation, charge status, or other operationalstatus (e.g., ON/OFF, wi-fi connected, etc.). For example, a red lightnear a charging port can indicate that the internal battery requirescharging. A green light near the charging port can indicate that thebattery is fully charged. A blue light can indicate that the device isreceiving a wireless or other signal. These indicator lights are lowpower, diffuse LEDs. The low power, diffuse nature of the LEDs limitsthe amount of light propagated from the device which in turn limits theamount of battery power used by the LED to perform its function of astatus or operational indicator.

In one aspect of the technology, MLEDs 40 are used not only as a statusor operational indicator, but as a useable source of light. In oneaspect, the MLEDs 40 are configured to communicate with the PLC thatmodifies the pulse-width-modulation (PWM) of the MLEDs 40 to increasethe perceived brightness and hence the functionality of the light to theuser. For example, in “indication mode” the MLED 40 has a first PWMcycle of 30%, but in a “bright” mode, the MLED 40 has a second and/orthird PWM cycle of 60% and/or 80% so that the MLED provides more lightto the user than would be necessary for an “indication mode” function.The duty cycles may differ as suits a particular application. Forexample, the first PWM duty cycle may range from 20% to 40%, the secondfrom 50% to 70%, and the third from 70% to 90%.

In one aspect of the technology, the MLEDs 40 are coupled to a PLCconfigured to modify the PWM of the MLEDs according to a pre-determinedsequence programmed into the PLC. In one aspect, the modification of thelighting of the MLEDs may be activated by a user only when a charger,for example, is not connected to the charge port 12 of the lightingdevice 10. Meaning, if the MLEDs are functioning as a status indicator(e.g., device is charging, device is connected to wi-fi, etc.), the PLCprevents the MLEDs 40 from being operated in “bright mode.” In thismode, the PWM of the MLEDs cannot be changed. Rather, the MLEDs 40function in a default PWM where the brightness corresponds to aconventional status indicator. In one aspect of the technology, aseparate power switch 46 is used to bypass the sequencing operations ofthe PLC and activates the primary light source 21 in its highestoperating mode. In this manner, if a user does not wish to cycle throughany modes of operation, including a low-light mode, the user mayactivate the bypass power switch 46 to turn on the brightest operatingmode of the primary light 21.

In one aspect of the technology, LED lights require a driver in order toprovide/deliver a desired output. The driver may be internally orexternally incorporated into the LED and can be either constant currentor constant voltage. Both constant current and constant voltage driversact as a power supply for an LED light source. LED drivers provide andregulate the necessary voltage in order to maintain operation of theLED. In one aspect of the technology, a constant current LED driveroperates within a range of output voltages and a fixed output current(amps). An LED is rated to operate at a forward voltage with anassociated current, and a supply is needed to deliver the requiredoperational voltage and current. In one aspect, a constant currentdriver varies the voltage along an electronic circuit which allows aconstant electrical current through the LED device. In one aspect of thetechnology, a constant voltage driver operates on a single directcurrent (DC) output voltage (e.g., 12 VDC or 24 VDC, etc.). The driverwill maintain a constant voltage no matter the load current. In oneaspect of the technology, the power mode of the lighting device may bechanged by changing the current that is available from the LED drivecircuitry. In one aspect of the technology, an electronic circuitcomprises an overall voltage supply that is high enough to span thenumber of LEDs in series (e.g., 3.2V is a forward voltage rating foreach of three LEDs, etc.), and a 10 Ohm resistor component is used toset the desired current. By varying the resistor, brightness of the LEDsis varied up to the forward current limitation of the LED. Of course,different forward voltage ratings and different resistors, or othercircuit components, may be used as a means of regulating constantcurrent in an LED device.

With reference generally to FIG. 8, in one aspect of the technology, aload control transition program is in the PLC of a lighting device. Whena lighting mode changes from one mode to another mode (e.g., High Powerto Medium Power or vice versa, Medium Power to Low Power or vice versa,a change in PWM cycle, a change in constant current drive, a change incolor modes, etc.), the change occurs over a period of time ranging from800 milliseconds to 1200 milliseconds, though other periods of time maybe used (e.g., 500 milliseconds to 3000 milliseconds, etc.). In oneaspect, the power is transitioned (e.g., ramped up or ramped down) at arate ranging from approximately 50% to 70% (or specific rates therebetween, e.g., 55%, 60%, 65%, etc.) of the load level differential persecond, where the differential is defined as the target load level minusthe original or beginning load level. In one aspect of the technology,the load transition rate when “ramping up” 200 is greater than thetransition rate when “ramping down” 210 and vice versa. In anotheraspect, the load transition rate when ramping up is the same as the loadtransition rate when ramping down.

In one aspect of the technology, the amount of power used in a High andMedium Power mode, respectively, ranges from between 4 watts for HighPower mode and 1.5 watts for Medium Power mode. In a situation where alight mode is transitioning between different power modes or dutycycles, the slower transition between modes allows the eyes to adjust tothe change in brightness. More advantageously, however, less batterypower is consumed when the power mode is changed over an extended periodof time instead of during a “hard” switch 220. In certain aspects of thetechnology, the transition from one energy level to another can bothdraw and expel large amounts of energy as circuits can be resistive toload current changes due to typical embedded technologies such asvoltage boost circuits. For example, during a “hard” or direct switchbetween load levels, instantaneous power consumption can be as high as 5watts. To combat these changes, clamping circuitry such as a clampingdiode can be deployed to capture the energy and dissipate it. Othercomplex energy management circuits can also be used to protectsurrounding components from energy surges that are generated during thestep function. Advantageously, aspects of the currently technology allowthe power to be slowly adjusted between the different modes withoutcomplex energy management circuits. In one aspect, using the “rampingup,” or “ramping down” technology, the instantaneous power consumptionwould not exceed the normal operational power load of 4 watts.

It is noted that no specific order is required in these methods unlessrequired by the claims set forth herein, though generally in someembodiments, the method steps can be carried out sequentially.

The foregoing detailed description describes the technology withreference to specific exemplary aspects. However, it will be appreciatedthat various modifications and changes can be made without departingfrom the scope of the present technology as set forth in the appendedclaims. The detailed description and accompanying drawing are to beregarded as merely illustrative, rather than as restrictive, and allsuch modifications or changes, if any, are intended to fall within thescope of the present technology as described and set forth herein.

More specifically, while illustrative exemplary aspects of thetechnology have been described herein, the present technology is notlimited to these aspects, but includes any and all aspects havingmodifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across variousaspects), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated bythose skilled in the art based on the foregoing detailed description.The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on thelanguage employed in the claims and not limited to examples described inthe foregoing detailed description or during the prosecution of theapplication, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Forexample, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” isnon-exclusive where it is intended to mean “preferably, but not limitedto.” Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executedin any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims.Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only beemployed where for a specific claim limitation all of the followingconditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for”is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expresslyrecited. The structure, material or acts that support themeans-plus-function are expressly recited in the description herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by thedescriptions and examples given above.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A lighting device, comprising: a housingwith a cavity therein; a power source disposed within the cavity; alight source coupled to the power source, a control switch coupled tothe light source and the power source; and a logic controller coupled tothe control switch, the light source, and the power source, wherein thelogic controller comprises instructions such that: (i) when the controlswitch is in the off mode and the control switch is activated for lessthan a predetermined period of time, the lighting device turns on thelight source to a first power mode having a duty cycle greater than 50%;(ii) when the lighting device is turned on to the first power mode fromthe off mode and the control switch is activated a second time, thelighting device changes the light source to a second power mode having aduty cycle less than 50%, wherein when the load level of the lightingdevice is changed from the first power mode to the second power mode,the load level is changed at a rate of less than 100% of a load leveldifferential; (iii) when the control switch is in the off mode and thecontrol switch is activated for greater than the predetermined period oftime, the lighting device turns on the light source to the second powermode; and (iv) when the lighting device is turned on to the second powermode from the off mode and the control switch is activated a secondtime, the lighting device changes to the first power mode.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, wherein when the lighting device is turned on to the firstpower mode from the off mode and the control switch is activated a thirdtime, the lighting device changes to a third power mode.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time ranges from 0.25 to0.75 seconds.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first power modecomprises a pulse width modulation duty cycle ranging from 70% to 80%and the second power mode comprises a pulse width modulation duty cycleranging from 45% to 55%.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondpower mode comprises a pulse width modulation duty cycle ranging from20% to 30%.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first power modecomprises a constant current of 80% of rated LED current capacity andthe second power mode comprises a constant current of 40% of rated LEDcurrent capacity.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the light sourcecomprises one or more LEDs.
 8. A hand-held lighting device, comprising:a housing with a cavity therein; a power source disposed within thecavity; a primary light source disposed about a top of the lightingdevice and configured to propagate light in a direction that is parallelwith a longitudinal axis of the lighting device, the primary lightsource coupled to the power source; a secondary light source disposedabout a top of the lighting device and configured to propagate light ina direction that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the lightingdevice, the secondary light source coupled to the power source, whereinthe secondary light source is a non-white light source and, in a firstmode, indicates an operational status of the lighting device; a controlswitch coupled to the primary and secondary light sources and the powersource; and a logic controller coupled to the control switch, theprimary and secondary light sources, and the power source, wherein thelogic controller comprises instructions such that when the secondarylight source is in a first mode, it propagates light at a first pulsewidth modulation duty cycle less than between 30% and 50% and when thesecondary light source is in a second mode, it propagates light at asecond pulse width modulation duty cycle greater than 50%, wherein whena load level of the secondary light source is changed, the load level ischanged at a rate of less than 100% of a load level differential persecond.
 9. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein the secondary lightsource propagates light ranging from 620 nm to 750 nm, 495 nm to 570 nm,or 450 m to 495 nm.
 10. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein thelogic controller contains instructions such that when the lightingdevice is coupled to an external power or data source, the secondarylight source cannot be switched to the second mode.
 11. The lightingdevice of claim 8, wherein the first pulse width modulation duty cycleof the secondary light source ranges from 20% to 40% and the secondpulse width modulation duty cycle of the secondary light source rangesfrom 50% to 70%.
 12. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein the primarylight source and secondary light source are disposed about a distal endof the lighting device and are configured to propagate light in aparallel direction.
 13. A method of operating a lighting device,comprising: (i) operating the lighting device comprising a controlswitch, a light source, and first and second power modes; (ii) when thecontrol switch is in an off mode, activating the control switch for lessthan a predetermined period of time and turning the light source to thefirst power mode; (iii) when the lighting device is turned on to thefirst power mode from the off mode, activing the control switch a secondtime and changing the light source to the second power mode; (iv) whenthe control switch is in the off mode, activating the control switch forgreater than a predetermined period of time and turning the light sourceto the second power mode; (v) when the lighting device is turned on tothe second power mode from the off mode, activating the control switch asecond time and changing the light source to the first power mode; (vi)wherein when the light source load level is changed from a first pulsewidth modulation duty cycle to a second pulse width modulation dutycycle, the load level is changed at a rate of less than 100% of a loadlevel differential per second.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thefirst power mode comprises a pulse width modulation duty cycle rangingfrom 70% to 80%.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second powermode comprises a pulse width modulation duty cycle ranging from 20% to30%.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lighting device comprises aprimary light source and a status indicator light source, wherein thestatus indicator light source is configured to propagate light rangingfrom 625 nm to 740 nm, 500 nm to 565 nm, or 450 m to 485 nm.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, increasing the duty cycle of the status indicatorlight source from a first pulse width modulation duty cycle ranging from20% to 40% to a second pulse width modulation duty cycle ranging from50% to 70%.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the status indicatorlight source is a non-white light source which cannot be switched to asecond pulse width modulation duty cycle when the lighting device isconnected to an external power source.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein when the status indicator light source load level is increased,the load level is changed at a rate of less than 100% of a load leveldifferential per second.